Released on February 20, 1997
Led by strong performances in the agricultural, manufacturing, resourceand retail sectors in 1996, Saskatchewan's economy continues to show
sustained and broad-based growth, Finance Minister Janice MacKinnon
said today.
MacKinnon, who today released Saskatchewan's 1996 Economic Review, said
the province's robust economy is part of a broad-based turnaround in
Saskatchewan's fortunes.
"Our economic performance was among the best in Canada in 1996, but
we've also made significant strides by balancing three consecutive
budgets and paying down the mortgage on our children's future,"
MacKinnon said. "That's giving families a sense of confidence that is
also fuelling economic growth."
Some of the main economic indicators for the province in 1996 include:
retail sales of $5.7 billion during the first 10 months of 1996,
an increase of almost eight per cent;
sales by recreational and motor vehicle dealers rising by 21 per
cent over the same period;
housing starts rising by 56 per cent in the first nine months of
1996;
farmers harvesting an estimated 28.5 million tonnes of major
grains, which is about 23 per cent above 1995;
oil sales increasing by almost 25 per cent in the first nine
months of 1996;
uranium sales up by more than 64 per cent in the same period; and
manufacturing shipments rising by eight per cent over the first 10
months of the year.
The minister added that she expects the strong growth will continue,
and feels cautiously optimistic for the future.
"We are still saddled with more than $800 million of annual interest
payments to service the province's accumulated debt. However, as we
continue to pay down the public debt and the interest payments to
service that debt, we will increasingly regain our financial freedom.
"The economic review shows clearly that we are on the right track.
With a growing economy and population, more opportunities and more
disposable income, this is a good time to live, work and open a
business in Saskatchewan."
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For more information, contact:
Ron Podbielski
Director of Communications, Finance
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-6578